Taunton and Wellington get more than £83k in play area upgrades
It's thanks to Somerset West and Taunton Council's replacement programme to invest in community facilities
Thanks to a programme ran by Somerset West and Taunton (SWT) Council, there's new playground equipment at play areas in Taunton and Wellington.
It's part of the local authority's efforts to replace old equipment and invest in community facilities.
Outdated apparatus over at Walkers Gate Play Area in Wellington has seen a major refresh - with a swing, slide, fireman's pole, climbing wall and counting panel installed, as well as a four-way spring seesaw, talking tubes and new shock-absorbing safety surfacing.
There's more set to happen at the play area in the new year, with extensive ground works also having taken place to help improve the look and feel of it all, getting ready for planting in 2023.
Upgrading the play area cost SWT £25,915 - with their engagement team working with local people to make sure it meets the needs of those living in the local community.
It's all been made possible thanks to Section 106 developer contributions for dwellings at the rear of the former Three Cups pub on nearby Fore Street.
Elsewhere, there have also been works on a play area in Taunton.
Over at Compton Close Play Area, which is set to reopen this week (commencing December 19), work to provide additional equipment has just finished - with the space now featuring a toddlers' multi-play unit, a sensory totem pole, spital shifter, hourglass panels, a bridge and balance walks, spring-mounted seesaws, roundabouts, swings, as well as new safety surfacing too.
Using Section 106 funds from Firepool Lock's development, SWT spent £57,664 on these upgrades.
All of this is in addition to £112,000 spent earlier in 2022 to refresh play areas across Taunton and Wellington.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Sports, Parks and Leisure, Councillor Derek Perry, said: “We’re committed to investing in local amenities to support active and healthy lifestyles and I’m delighted we were able to give these popular play areas a new lease of life for children to enjoy.
“I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to us – it gave us valuable feedback to better understand the priorities for resident families and helped focus our efforts on providing equipment that will benefit most local children and young people.”
Members of the public with concerns about the safe use of play areas or wishing to report a problem, can use SWT’s online reporting form here or by calling 0300 304 8000.